Exotic wood?

[dwgriff1]

I called my lumber wholesaler.

Do you have some 1/8" Lauan plywood? "We have Lauan only in 3/4, but we have some 1/8" Meranti."

So I ordered 20 sheets of it. Then i decided I'd use 1/2 plywood for the sides of my tear, so I called them back. Do you have any 1/2" Meranti? I was trying to sound knowledgable.

"No, but we have 1/2" Obeche."

So I ordered 2 sheets -- they will deliver it on Tuesday. None of this cheap Lauan for me, I've got Meranti and Obeche, even if I can't tell them apart -- and they cost the same!!

dave

[Chris C]

Not exotic wood...............just exotic advertising agents!



That's not unusual in the wood industry, Dave. I can't give you any examples, because I don't work in those type woods, but believe me, there are a lot of names for similar families of wood. They give them different names to convince us they have something new and exciting.

[Steve_Cox]

Hi Dave,

Know a little, (a little knowledge is always a dangerous thing) about the Obeche, It's a soft wood from West Africa, big fast growing trees, consistent grain, blond in color. Warning, wear a dust mask when cutting and sanding, most people have an allergic reaction to it. Still sounds pretty exotic to me!

[dwgriff1]

I'll bet they all come from Indonesia and I'll bet they are all cousins to Lauan, which is not Mahagony at all.

My guess is that they are subspecies. My wholesale lumber ditributors are not in the advertising business, and we cabinet makers don't have time to have our chains pulled.

I just found it interesting that the varities are so well defined, even if we cannot really tell much visual difference.

dave